Category: 2K Games

Posted on

New Cinematic Trailer for Borderlands 2 VR Showcases Maya Character

There’s less than a month to go until Gearbox Software and 2K Games launch Borderlands 2 VR exclusively for PlayStation VR. In preparation for its rollout – and to further tempt virtual reality (VR) players into buying it – the studios have released a new cinematic trailer to enjoy.

Borderlands VR - Screenshot

As you may expect from a Borderlands 2 VR trailer there’s plenty of action with character Maya demonstrating the PlayStation Move controllers, punching and kicking enemies far and wide. And when a bit of melee action gets boring then there’s always a trusty gun or two to play with, or how about some telekinetic powers to juggle enemies with.

There’s no actual gameplay footage in this new video unfortunately, you’ll find that in the launch announcement trailer from last month. There’s likely to be several more character videos incoming so keep an eye out for more.

Borderlands 2 VR is set for release on 14th December 2018, retailing for $49.99 USD, via PlayStation Store. A dynamic PlayStation theme will also be available to those who pre-order the title in advance.

Borderlands VR - Keyart

The original Borderlands 2 came out six years ago and was a massive hit for Gearbox Software. The new VR version features the original characters as well as adding new options including reworked skill trees that keep the single-player VR focus in mind and new features that play off the VR environment, such as “BAMF Time” – BadAss Mega Fun Time – which is Borderlands’ own take bullet-time from The Matrix films.

Over the last six years, the studio has released 10 DLC packs to expand the original’s gameplay. Unfortunately, Gearbox Software has confirmed that the VR version won’t include any of the DLC when it arrives in December.

VRFocus will continue its coverage of Borderlands 2 VR, reporting back with any further updates.

Posted on

‘Borderlands 2’ Coming to PSVR in December, Pre-orders Now Available

2K and Gearbox Software, the studios behind the Borderlands franchise, are bringing the critically acclaimed Borderlands 2 to PSVR this December.

Announced today on the PlayStation blog, PSVR users are getting a special treat before Christmas that will let you play the full game in VR. The game is slated to launch December 14th.

The VR implementation was developed in-house by Gearbox Software, the developers behind the franchise.

1 of 5
Image courtesy 2K, Gearbox Software
Image courtesy 2K, Gearbox Software
Image courtesy 2K, Gearbox Software
Image courtesy 2K, Gearbox Software
Image courtesy 2K, Gearbox Software

According to series publisher 2K, Borderlands 2 VR “brings the iconic shooting-looting world of Pandora to life like never before, as you virtually become a treasure-seeking Vault Hunter facing off against the galaxy’s most charming psychopathic dictator – Handsome Jack – with nothing but your arsenal of 87 bazillion guns.”

The developers have promised an all new ‘Slow-Mo’ ability, and a teleportation-based movement scheme. The information surrounding the VR implementation is still thin on the ground, so it seems there’s still plenty to learn in the months to come.

Pre-order are now available at PlayStation Store, priced at $50.

The post ‘Borderlands 2’ Coming to PSVR in December, Pre-orders Now Available appeared first on Road to VR.

Posted on

Pandora Goes Virtual As Gearbox Announce Borderlands 2 VR for PlayStation VR

Vault Hunters of Pandora we’ve got some surprise news for you, courtesy of the team at Gearbox. Out of quite literally nowhere, the team has confirmed that not only will we be getting Borderlands 2 in virtual reality (VR) but we’ll even be getting it before the end of the year.

Borderlands VR - ScreenshotBorderlands 2 was a huge hit for Gearbox Software and publisher 2K Games when it came out six years ago, and since that time the franchise has been revisited on several occasions, notably in 2016’s The Handsome Collection – which turns out to have been the catalyst to bring the title in its entirety to VR.

Borderlands 2 VR brings with it not only the original characters but new features including reworked skill trees that keep the single-player VR focus in mind and new features that play off the VR environment, such as “BAMF Time” – BadAss Mega Fun Time – which is Borderlands’ own take bullet-time from The Matrix films.  While combat while in a vehicle will also become much more intuitive.

Speaking on the PlayStation Blog, Producer Brian Burlseon explains the decision in more detail. “As soon as we brought the game to PS4 as part of The Handsome Collection in 2016, our brains immediately began cranking on how we could bring the experience to VR and take advantage of PSVR’s capabilities. We all have spent years immersed in the world and these characters, so we were excited to utilise the PSVR to bring everyone in even deeper.”

Borderlands VR - ScreenshotPrepare for looting and shooting with gazillions of guns on December 14th 2018 for $49.99 (USD).  A dynamic PlayStation theme will also be available to those who pre-order the title in advance. A trailer has also been released, and you can check that out below the announced key features list.

Key Features:

Virtually Step onto Pandora: Step into the boots of a treasure-seeking Vault Hunter armed with 87 bazillion possible guns on a quest to line your pockets with loot and free Pandora from Handsome Jack’s clutches. Blast bandits with real-world aiming, punch bullymongs in the mouth, find the perfect gun inside a life-sized treasure chest and inspect it from every angle. Catch-a-Ride and race across Pandora in first-person view and experience the thrill of a psycho running toward you with grenade in-hand yelling, “Boom time!”

Virtually Slow Time: Borderlands 2 VR includes new features unique to the VR experience to empower Vault Hunters in their fight against Handsome Jack. With Bad Ass Mega Fun Time (aka BAMF Time), players can use this new slow-mo ability to literally slow the speed of the game temporarily to set up their next attack. In addition, with the option to Teleport, players can glide across Pandora as gracefully as Claptrap (if he had grace).

Borderlands VR - ScreenshotBecome a Virtual Vault Hunter: Take on the role of one of four playable classes – Siren, Commando, Gunzerker and Assassin – each with unique combat styles and updated skills that leverage the new VR functionality, including the new BAMF Time ability. Whether crushing enemies with Maya’s Siren powers, calling in Sabre Turret reinforcements as Axton, feeling the heft of dual-wielded machine guns as Salvador, or the satisfying swing of Zer0’s sword in an enemy’s back, Borderlands 2 VR immerses players like never before.

Experience Virtual Improvements: For the first time ever, players can experience the sublime exhilaration of driving around the Borderlands in first-person perspective – accelerating and steering with the joystick and aiming the vehicle’s weapons with their headset. With the use of the motion controllers and headset, players can interact with the menu systems in a new and intuitive way for the platform, easily navigating through the menus by pointing, clicking, dragging and dropping. Players will also have the choice of preferred movement styles. Whether that’s the VR popular pointed-teleportation, or the classic direct movement style with joysticks – your experience should feel good for VR and true to form of classic Borderlands.

Borderlands VR - ScreenshotGet Virtually Rich: Borderlands VR brings shoot-and-loot mechanics to VR with bazillions of procedurally-generated guns and gear, each with their own capabilities and modifiers. Procedurally-generated shields, grenades, relics, class mods and more round out your Vault Hunter’s arsenal for maximum power and mayhem.

VRFocus will bring you news on everything Borderlands 2 VR as soon as we hear anything else.

 

 

Posted on

What to Expect at E3 2018: VR Games from the Biggest Names

This year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), Los Angeles, is rapidly approaching, with expectations of the next wave of virtual reality (VR) videogame entertainment riding high. The success of the PlayStation VR and revamped, untethered offerings from both Oculus VR and HTC Vive have breathed new life into the slowly maturing industry, and so VRFocus has taken the time to consider what could be coming next from each of the key videogame publishers.

Call of Duty: Black Ops III screenshot

While the likes of Rockstar Games, 2K Games, Bandai Namco Games and Activision could well be producing more VR videogames and experiences, it’s difficult to predict exactly which route they’ll take; will they continue adapting or expanding existing franchises into VR? Or will they follow Ubisoft’s bold move of creating brand new IP?

Rockstar Games’ hugely successful adaptation of 2011’s L.A. Noire into 2017’s L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files suggests there’s room in older titles for VR to breathe new life into them, however Bandai Namco Games’ perpetually delayed Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown conversely states that new titles with VR gameplay included can bring about new invention just as easily. Whether or not the former will have anything new for VR to show at this year’s E3 – especially given the upcoming Red Dead Redemption II launch – remains unknown, however the latter will surely offer another playable outing for their aerial combat experience.

And then of course there’s Sega and Nintendo; the once ardent rivals both taking a very different approach to VR. While Sega has been cautiously optimistic – slowly introducing popular b-list brands into the VR fold – Nintendo has constantly downplayed the capabilities of modern VR in achieving the company’s gameplay agenda. Some would suggest they’re right to do so, while other might remark that this is simply a casual avoidance of the fact that the Nintendo Switch isn’t powerful enough to deliver a compelling VR experience.

Nintendo Switch

Below you’ll find discussion pieces for each of the major player in VR that are likely to give us something new to talk about, whether it be revisiting old worlds or challenging entirely new genres. VRFocus will of course be on the show floor throughout E3; bringing you all the latest VR news as it happens.

Slider: PlayStation VR What to Expect at E3 2018: Sony’s PlayStation VR – After two strong years, expectations for Sony’s PlayStation VR showing at E3 are high.
Eagle Flight key art What to Expect at E3 2018: Ubisoft’s VR Games – Ubisoft still have two announced VR titles coming, will we see any new reveals at E3 2018?
Oculus from Facebook art What to Expect at E3 2018: Oculus VR – With new hardware out the door, surely we can expect a grand showing from VR pioneer Oculus?
Bethesdaland E3 2017 logo What to Expect at E3 2018: Bethesda’s VR Games – Bethesda is likely to expand upon its VR success in 2018.
HTC Vive Pro What to Expect at E3 2018: HTC Vive – Will we get a Vive Focus North American and European launch date announcement?